How were the pools drawn? Pretty unbalanced if you ask me.
The pools were drawn from the 2007 Canada Games results. 1,4,5,8 in Pool A. 2,3,6,7 in Pool B. 9,10,11,12 in Pool C (relegation pool).
As for the games, went to the BC-QUE game and the ONT-NS game. Both were very entertaining with a ton of skill on both sides. The refs were suspect in both games, but didn't take too much away from the game.
The BC-QUE game was a back and forth effort, with both teams showing tons of grit.
I was very impressed with BC. I didn't expect this game to be very close but they definitely proved me wrong. There was a point where they were up 2-1 and on the PP, when Reinhart got robbed by Desrosiers in close, then QUE came back up ice to score a shorty to tie it up. If BC scores on that PP to got up 3-1 they might win this contest, IMO.
Top players for BC:
- Sam Reinhart (F) --> Best player on the ice. Beauty tip, has great hands and made some great passes as well. (2+1)
- Curtis Lazar (F) --> Had some great passes even outside of his two assists. Showed good vision. Scored in the Shootout. (1+2)
- Nic Petan (F) --> Showed an aggressive style despite his small frame. Scored a big goal to start the game off. (1+1)
- Jackson Houck (F) --> Big body, played physical. Made some nice passes outside of the assist that he picked up on the 3rd goal. (0+1)
I expected a little more out of QUE as a team, but their individual talent did not disappoint. They showed a lot of character scoring shortly after BC on two different occasions. Scored a key shorthanded goal that allowed them back in the game.
Top players for QUE:
- Philippe Desrosiers (G) --> Kept his team in the game early. Made some incredible saves. Top performer for QUE, they don't win this game without him.
- Anthony Duclair (F) --> Great first period but faded after that. Showed some great speed, and had flashes. Good offensive IQ. Scored a nice goal in the Shootout. (0+0)
- Jonathan Drouin (F) --> Showed some nice hands, and was physical despite his small frame. (1+1)
- Maxime Gravel (D) --> Solid. Didn't overwhelm you with offense, but was very smart. (0+1)
- Jeremy Gregoire (F) --> Great all-around game. Scored the massive SH goal that goal his team back in the game. (1+0)
Now onto the NS-ONT game. First I'd just like to point out the atmosphere at the Metro centre (during the first period) was great. Made it a tough place to play for ONT until they got the lead. The ice got pretty soft at this point (3 games during the day), but both teams got used to the conditions. NS was outmatched for the most part, but played ONT very tight for the first period.
Top players for NS:
- Jacob Fancy (G) --> Kept the game very close. Made a big save on Nosad who tried to go high glove. One weak goal, but the game could have been worst if not for him.
- Nathan Mackinnon (F) --> Was physical and showed some great flashes, especially one-on-one. But seemed frustrated for the most part, got shut down by ONT's defence, look to see what he can do against BC tomorrow. Was still the best player for NS by far. (0+0).
ONT was tougher to read. Didn't play a very good game for the first two periods. Dominated the third. Looked like what they are, an all-star team. They need to find some more chemistry moving forward.
Top players for ONT:
- The David Perklin - Bo Horvat - Jordan Maletta line --> Great line for ONT. Only one to find much chemistry. Combined for 5 points, should stay together for the tournament.
- Jordan Subban (D) --> Solid first period, though not a lot after. Massive hit in the first which is great to see for his size. (0+0)
- Darnell Nurse (D) --> Solid. Very calm with the puck, very vocal on the ice as well. (0+1)
- Max Domi (F) --> Tons of skill on this kid. Great hands, and is always looking to make something happen in the offensive zone. Probably over-handled the puck at times. (0+1)
Overall good first day, will be at ALB-NB and QUE-ONT tomorrow.
